How to Avoid a Moving Scam

07/18/2018

By Julie DeLong, A-1 Freeman Moving Group

Moving across the country? You are not alone--last year over 3 million Americans crossed a state line to a new residence. Some of those moves were across the country and others could
have been across town, but every single
one of those families had to box up all their stuff, put it onto a moving truck, and hope it reached their destination. If you are contemplating a move, there's no question
you have been online to research
moving companies and have gone down the road of terrible
move stories on review sites. How do you supervise your residential move so
that you're not preyed upon by moving fraud,
and that your possessions arrive at your new home
in Little Rock safe and secure?

Start by learning the jargon
of the transportation industry. It is
a lot easier to make sound decisions if you grasp
the vocabulary of the business and the diverse
business models of moving companies. This glossary of terms, found
on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website, aids you to familiarize yourself with Mover-talk
so that when you hear phrases like auxiliary
service, valuation and linehaul, you’ll know
what they mean.

The FMCSA website is a great
beginning point in general, as it also outlines
the rules, if you will, that motor
carriers follow. Any transportation provider you are pondering must be registered with the US Department of Transportation, and have
a Motor Carrier and DOT number. You can view any grievances against a company on that website.
The ones on Yelp and Reddit are more amusing,
but any grievances filed with the DOT usually
have a higher level of truth than issues
that are probably the result of the customer
just not paying attention.

In a perfect world, you would find movers a couple of months ahead of time, and casually pack, manage the family, and be 100% ready when the guys on the truck show
up. Reality is not so easy, and that's what moving scammers bank on when they are
promising you the moon—you're scattered
and thinking about a million
things, so they appeal to your sense of urgency—here's a ballpark
estimate and a handshake and we'll talk about
the specifics later. This is a definite
way to never see your stuff again, unless you want to
buy it back on Craigslist.

Rather, ask
your realtor for a referral for a moving company. Or,
if you are acquaintances with anyone who has
moved recently, ask them if they would recommend their mover. National
moving companies commonly have agents
all over the country, so feel free to ask your friend
in Oklahoma who they used, even if you live in Vermont.
Use the FMCSA website to look up companies
registered for interstate moves, and Google them. Once you've narrowed it down to a couple choices,
get written in-home estimates.

Make sure to read the FMCSA publication, "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move". When hiring a
professional mover, it is a federal law that you're supplied
with this 25-page brochure (or a link to it) that outlines your rights, protection, and industry
regulations.

It is important
that you spot an untrustworthy
mover BEFORE they load your belongings. Keep in mind, not all movers have your best interest in
mind. So, keep these RED FLAGS closeby as you are interviewing your potential mover.

Be wary of movers who:

Charge a fee to provide an
estimate.

Hand you a quote
that sounds too good to be true....it probably is!

Don't provide written
estimates or who say they will figure out your charges
after loading.

Ask you to sign blank paperwork.

Have no physical address on their website or paperwork.

Have a bad record
with the Better Business Bureau.

Do not have a Department of Transportation (DOT)
license or the license is expired.

Do not have an Motor Carrier (MC) license or the
license is expired.

Have a DOT or MC number that is less than 3 years old.

It's better to be safe
than sorry. So, be sure and verify your
moving company before they load your stuff onto their moving truck! Remember that if it seems too
good to be true it probably is, and since you are trusting the
movers with what is
effectively your life, do your research and hire
a reputable moving company, like A-1 Freeman Moving Group, who will take good
care of you when you move to Little Rock.

Save time and money with special offers and resources that will help you make your move a success.

Since 2017, A-1 Freeman Moving Group has become a Single Source Solution for the moving, relocation, logistics, warehousing, and transportation needs of thousands of individuals, governments, militaries, and many of the world's top businesses. Our focus on excellence in customer experience & service has made us one of the most respected moving companies in the industry.